Page 37 of High Intensity

“You were really smart, finding that little cave, and you did a good job climbing up those rocks. You were really brave, keeping yourself safe and warm with a fire. It gave us a chance to find you.”

I glance over at the door where I see Junior Ewing poking his head in.

“Keep going,”he mouths, gesturing for me to continue before his head disappears.

When I turn back to the bed, it looks like Hayley’s eyes aren’t quite closed all the way.

“Want more water?” I ask her, and at first she seems to ignore me, but I guess thirst wins out when she nods.

I slip the straw between her lips and let her drink a little more before setting the cup back on the nightstand.

When I turn my attention back to the girl, I’m met with two gorgeous, almost copper-colored eyes.

“Hello, there.”

Wolff

It’s tough trying to get back into a normal routine after spending most of the week on an intensive search.

I’ve been restless all day, trying to find my groove doing my regular work.

Today was hauling more hay to the outside herd, making sure their water access isn’t frozen over, and no one’s gotten hurt.

When I passed by the main house on my way to my cabin earlier, Jonas stopped me, asking if I could take the trailer tomorrow and drive two horses to their new home at a ranch outside Dumas, Washington. It’s about a ten-hour roundtrip under good conditions, but Jackson was already roped in and, taking turns driving, we should be able to do it in a day. Although it’ll be a long one, I don’t mind the drive.

I have no clue why, but as I grab a quick shower at home, I suddenly feel the need to let Jillian know I won’t be around tomorrow. The last time I felt compelled to let someone know my whereabouts was before I left for college, when I was still living at home.

Hell, part of the reason I’ve not been tempted into any kind of serious relationship over the years is that I like not having to justify my every move. Yet, here I am, wanting to tell Jillian.

I grab my phone off the bed where I dropped it.

Hey, are you home?

The answer comes fifteen minutes later when I’m just contemplating whether I want to have breakfast for dinner with the two eggs and half pack of bacon left in my fridge, or head over to the main house to see what I can scrounge up to eat there.

Just walked in the door. What’s up?

I take a minute to think about my response. I guess I’d hoped to take her out for dinner, but if she just walked in the door, she may not want to go out again. But maybe I can bring dinner to her.

How do you feel about sushi? Tempura?

A Japanese bar and grill opened a couple of years ago with a pretty wide variety in food choices. I’ve been there a few times with some of the guys. It even has a twenty-four seven casino. Just a small one, but it’s a fun place to kill a few hours.

Pretty good about both, why?

Thinking about picking us up some.

In Libby????

Yup. Kaiju on 9th St. Good grub.

Good to know. Glad eating out won’t be limited to barbecue, Mexican, or pizza.

Can’t blame her for thinking that, coming from the big city, but in recent years a surprising number of good restaurants have opened in Libby. We have quite the selection now. I can think of a few more I’d like to introduce her to.

I’m calling in my order before I leave, so I won’t have to wait for it.

Be there in half an hour.

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